PhD Music in Southampton United Kingdom | University of Southampton

We invite applications for PhD studies across diverse musical disciplines including performance, musicology (covering opera studies, critical editing, and domestic music traditions), composition (encompassing concert works, film scoring, and electronic music), and music technology. Students benefit from guidance by renowned instrumental instructors and supervisors who are experts in their respective fields.
Our vibrant research environment
You'll join a dynamic research community comprising approximately 40 postgraduate researchers. Each student receives dedicated support from a principal supervisor and an advisory team.
Throughout the academic year, we organize masterclasses and lecture series featuring eminent music scholars (through our Hartley Residencies program), accomplished performers, and innovative composers.
PhD candidates can leverage our expanding global partnerships, including Erasmus exchanges throughout Europe and collaborations with World Universities Network institutions such as:
Chinese University of Hong Kong
University of Rochester (Eastman School of Music)
University of Western Australia
Our performance research encompasses both practice-based investigations by professional musicians and scholarly examination of European classical music performance traditions. Alumni from our doctoral program pursue academic positions at universities worldwide, teach across various educational levels, maintain international performance careers, or assume leadership positions beyond academia. Regardless of their career path, they consistently apply the exceptional research training acquired at Southampton.